After last week's bumper crop of new openings, things have significantly quieted down this week, with just two openings (and a fun pop-up too).
Arcade
Covent Garden - 47 Newington Green, London N16 9PX
Taking over a space that was once a large TGI Fridays, is the latest opening for upmarket food hall Arcade. This opening will feature some of their favourites from other locations, including Solis (chicken & steak grill from TATA Eatery), Gracey's pizzeria, Manna smashburgers and more. There are also two standalone restaurants, with Plaza Khao Gaeng opening this week and Cypriot/Greek restaurant Zylia following along next week (and a taqueria promised for the future).
Opening date: 15 May 2026
Cantinera
Brockley - 10 Coulgate Street, London SE4 2RW
Two chefs who've been cooking up a storm as the Mexican/Spanish flavoured residency Codillos are behind this new neighbourhood spot in Brockley. Jake Barwood and Celia D’Ortiz are hoping that their restaurant, inspired by Mexican cantinas and Spanish tapas bars, with its weekly-changing menu, will entice locals in. It's BYOB and walk-ins only for now.
Opening date: 14 May 2026
Grogu Cafe
Shoreditch - Kachette Annexe, 1 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AA
The first new Star Wars movie for some time is finally about to open, and that means you're about to see a LOT about The Mandalorian and Grogu in the next couple of weeks. This pop-up cafe will feature matcha, bubble tea and Grogu (aka "baby Yoda") doughnuts from Bread Ahead. There will be a fair bit of merch too. Just don't expect Pedro Pascal to pop in and pick up a doughnut...
Opening date: 15-17 May 2026
Events
16-17 May (Covent Garden and Islington) - Tim Tam are teaming up with Copains and are giving away 100 free babkas (25 per shop, per day). The babkas are gluten-free and "a rich, chocolatey twist on the classic, with Tim Tam biscuits woven through". The babkas will also be available in store for the rest of the month.
17 May (Clapton) - The next Sunday Cookout at Mambow sees Abby Lee teaming up with Tom Zahir of Decatur for a 6-course set menu which combines Abby’s style with Tom’s affinity for Cajun and Creole cuisine, including dishes like Assam Pedas Crawfish & Fixins. Tickets are £60.
Here's what opened last week
Bar Etna (Stoke Newington) - The team behind The Plimsoll and Tollington's try their hand at pizza.
MA/NA (Mayfair) - A modern Japanese restaurant from the people behind Los Mochis.
Ornella (Hackney) - The Lupa crew open a bigger Italian restaurant, this time influenced by Milan.
Kawan (Chinatown) - Uncle Roger opens his first London restaurant.
All Roads (Brixton) - Once a supperclub, now a full restaurant in Brixton.
Bread Street Kitchen (City of London) - Gordon Ramsay opens his final sky-high restaurant at 22 Bishopsgate.
Bar Des Pres (Mayfair) - Cyril Lignac moved his French and East-Asia-influenced restaurant.
Trèsind (Mayfair) - A high-end take in Indian food that originated in Dubai.
Rossella (Muswell Hill) - Pizza and pasta follow-up of the Kentish Town original.
Tigermilk (Spitalfields) - The Latin American restaurant's second London opening.
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